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2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. W.-H. KOPPQ Fire Escape.

Patented July 27,1880.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. R.-W. H. KOPPh P-ire Esoap'e.

No. 230,555. Patented July 27,1880.

N.PETERS, FNOTO-LITHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTON. Q C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OF I E.

ROBERT W. H. KOPP, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Fl RE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 230,555, dated July 27, 1880.

Application filed April 16, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT W. H. KOPP, of Washington, in the county of Washington and District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fire-Escapes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to fire-escapes applicable especially to brick buildings; and it consists, essentially, in forming the steps of the fire-escape above the first floorin the bricks of the structure itself.

The object of my invention is to provide a fire-escape which shall be a permanent structure, always at hand and ready 'for use in the emergency of a fire and obstruction to escape from the upper stories by ordinary means of egress, and also to render snch a structure durable and inexpensive.

Heretofore fire-escapes have been firmly attached to the buildings in the form of flexible or rigid stairs or ladders, all of which are expensiy e to make, liable to get out of order, and, if left as fixtures upon the building, unsightly.

In carrying out my invention 1- form a row of recesses or projections in the spaces between the windows from the upper story down to the second floor, said recesses or projections being a sufficient distance apart to serve as steps, by means of which a person may ascend or descend on the outside of the building.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents the front of a dwelling provided with my improved escape. Fig. 2 represents sections of the wall, showing the invention and the modification of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 represent an enlarged view of part of the walls, as shown in Fig. 2. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 represent the means used in connection with my invention for escaping from the second floor to the ground.

In building a house with my improved fireescape I construct the walls with projections or recesses a at a proper distance, one above the other, and extending across nearly the whole space between the windows from the second floor quite to the upper story, as represented in Fig. 1. These recesses are of sut'ficient depth to afford holding-places for the hands and feet for the person ascending or descending.

(No model.) I

In order to give the hands a more secure hold I may provide at the bottom of the recess ribs 1), which may be formed upon the brick itself and afford a secure hold for the hands of the person.

Instead of having recesses, as shown in section in Fig. 3, the bricks which form the holdin g-places for the hands and feet may be made to project from the ordinary surface with the same effect. Instead, also, of the ribs 1), the bricks may be left plain, and small rods may be carriedup in eyebolts fixed in, the wall on one or both sides of the steps, said rods furnishing a secure hold for the hands, thereby rendering the recesses or projections on the brick face necessary only for the feet.

In the form and arrangement shown in Fig. 1 a person may step from any of the upper windows and find secure passage to the first floor by means of the vertical rows of recesses or projections.

Obviously, if this permanent escape were continued to the ground, it would furnish a ready means by which burglars could ascend and enter the windows of the house. I have therefore provided other means for continuing the escape from the second floor to the ground. a flexible ladder, A, connected to the cornice or similar projection, 0, immediately underneath the series of steps, and forming a continuation thereof to the ground. This ladder A, Iconnect to a hook, I, underneath the pro-' jection 0, and provide it with studs 0, adapted, when the ladder is let down, to bear against the wall and to hold the ladder a few inches away from the wall. These studs 6 may be mounted upon the round of the ladder and form a part of the link-connection, as shown in Fig. 7.

The ladder may be rolled up so as to lie snugly under the projection c, as shown clearly in Fig. 8. In this position it may be held by a chain, f, which is connected at the inner end to the main wall, and at the outer end by means of the ring to a catch, g, by which itis secured and supports the ladder in its closed position. 1

The catch 9 is connected to the rod h, which is held up by a spring, i, so that while the rod his held up in its normal position the end of These means consist, essentially, of

the catch g holds in the loop or staple k but when the rod h is depressed it draws the catch 9 out of the loop and releases the chain.

In order to hide the ladder when itis coiled up in place a cover, I, of sheet metal or any suitable material. is hinged at m and swings up, and is sprung in by a rib, n, by means of which it is held in place. The weight of the ladder, when released, will be sufficient to open this case or covering.

The bolt or red It may be depressed by the foot of the person in his descent. These depressions or projections, which form the footholds in the face of the wall, maybe so formed as not to disfigure the wall, but rather make the surface more varied and ornamental.

I do not confine myself to the particular outline shown in the drawings, as it may be varied, according to taste.

Other devices may be used in connection with these, such as a staple or handle near the window, which the person escaping may gripe when stepping from the window.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A fire-escape consisting of the series of recesses or depressions formed in the face of the wall and extending vertically, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, Withaseries of recesses or projections formed in the face of the Wall and serving as foot-holds, in the manner described, from the upper to the second tloor, of a ladder extending to the ground and capable of being drawn up and secured, substantially described.

3. The combination of the flexible ladder, the chain f, and the catch, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the projection c, of the flexible ladder, with its chain and catch, and the covering 1, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT W. H. KOPP.

Witnesses:

WARREN SEELY, F. L. MIDDLETON. 

